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Saturday paddle question
Reivers Dustin
01/13/19 #24233
Guys,
Back in the early times when we did our Saturday 9:00am it was mostly a social paddle. People stuck together pretty much. I got a question at Peter's FilmFest about if someone joins us from out of town or does a drop in.
I was not sure how to answer. What's happening now is there is a mix of levels and many folks go pretty hard because it's part of their routine. I guess I'm guilty. So what do I say? Are there some regular skilled folks don't have to crush every paddle. Would they want to show up at 9:00 on a Saturday and just connect with the fun of a nice paddle? … Maybe that's happening already. It was a cool thing to see a few solid paddle folks out last Saturday - that were out for the salt water fix, not the CO2Max rush.
Should there be a second wave where people can paddle with someone who knows the area? What should we put out there.
rd
Larry Bussinger
01/13/19 #24234
I have a new paddler that I’m introducing to the sport. I’ll stick with him until he finds his own skill level group or if weather requires him to have another level of support. But if someone new shows up, they will need to be encouraged to speak up and ask for some support. We probably won’t stick with them forever, but at least they will be introduced to some of the group and the nuances of the course. LB
Reivers Dustin
01/13/19 #24238
That's the answer. It's like this at Wed Niters in the summer. If someone shows up, just chat up some of us and we'll work something out. Especially in the bay where you need to know the landmarks in order to navigate.
David Scherrer
01/14/19 #24240
Good topic…..From what I saw in Au. when folks got together at a certain time and place to paddle, first we would all meet on the shore and introduce new arrivals. Then it was openly discussed where the group would go and how ( steady cruse, sprints to finish, intervals, etc etc.). Groups then would form based on experience and expectations. All this discussion was done on land. I think its important to realize effective communication is greatly hampered once one is in the ski out on the water. Plus its efficient. We are a large and growing group and attracting new numbers every week.
I know the feeling of -hey whats going on- I guess I'll do my own thing- and on and on. And I've been going to Marine Park Saturdays for decades…..
So start by a beach meeting at say 905 then we go out in understood groups, destinations and workout expectations…and of course afterwords we get together at the coffee shop (yes that was a tradition in Sydney as well!)
David
